Keith Lusher 09.25.25
The bodies of two young elk hunters who disappeared last week in Colorado’s rugged wilderness have been recovered, bringing a tragic conclusion to a massive six-day search operation that captivated the hunting community. Andrew Porter, 25, of Asheville, North Carolina, and Ian Stasko, 25, of Salt Lake City, Utah, were found deceased Thursday morning at 11 a.m. by Colorado Search and Rescue teams. The discovery came roughly two miles from the Rio de Los Pinos Trailhead in Conejos County, where their vehicle had been located days earlier.
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The hunters had traveled to Colorado to pursue elk in Game Management Unit 81 within the Rio Grande National Forest. Their last communication with family occurred on September 11, when Porter’s fiancée Bridget Murphy lost electronic contact with the pair. When they failed to check in within their predetermined 24-hour window, concerned family members reported them missing on September 12.
Search operations began immediately on September 13 when Conejos County deputies discovered the hunters’ locked vehicle at the trailhead. Inside, crews found the men’s camping gear and backpacks, a concerning sign given the severe weather that had moved through the area.” It’s not uncommon for the two of them to come back, put your stuff in and go back out just for a short hunt because they had high hopes since they had found an elk herd,” Murphy explained, describing the hunters’ typical pattern of quick excursions after spotting game.
The search effort grew to include more than 54 teams utilizing diverse resources: dog teams, drone units, a Flight for Life helicopter, and even a privately-owned Black Hawk helicopter. Multi-county and state ground teams joined the operation across the challenging San Juan Wilderness terrain.
Severe storms complicated both the hunt and rescue efforts. Thursday night brought dangerous conditions with thunder, lightning, heavy fog, and rain that continued through Saturday night. Despite the harsh weather, other hunters reportedly saw Porter and Stasko alive Friday morning as they discussed a large bull elk they had spotted.
“We are here. We won’t stop,” Murphy posted on social media Thursday morning as another day of searching began. “These people today are ready to work as hard as possible to find you.”
The tragedy mobilized significant community support. Porter’s aunt, Lynne Runkle, organized a GoFundMe campaign to help fund additional search resources, which raised more than $78,000. The page served as a communication hub for updates throughout the search.
“It is with a broken heart and through tears that I give you this update,” Runkle wrote Thursday. “Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko have both been found deceased.”
Officials have not yet released details regarding the cause of death. The Conejos County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the recovery but has provided limited additional information as the investigation continues.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks associated with backcountry hunting, particularly when severe weather conditions develop rapidly in mountainous terrain.
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